In-situ gold nanoparticle synthesis in polymer films

A versatile method for fabricating both plasmonic and conductive metal structures in situ in polymer materials is presented. The process relies on UV induced radical polymerization of acrylic resin and gold nanoparticle formation by the reduction of a gold precursor in the presence of a photoinitiator. The room temperature fabrication process provides control over nanoparticle size, growth and distribution within the polymer matrix.